The Australian government has doubled the penalties for violating its social media ban, with the maximum fine now reaching 11 billion yen.
In Australia, which enacted a law in December 2025 banning the use of social media by minors under 16, the fines imposed on platform operators for violations will be doubled to further ensure compliance with the law.
Stronger powers and double the penalties for world-leading social media law | Prime Minister of Australia
Australia to double fines over under-16 social media ban - CGTN
Australia Doubles The Maximum Penalty For Its Social Media Ban
https://www.engadget.com/2203358/australia-doubles-maximum-penalty-social-media-ban/
With the aim of protecting children under the age of 16, Australia passed the 'Online Safety Amendment 2024 (SNS Minimum Age Act)' in November 2024, which bans the use of social media by those under the age of 16, and it has been in effect since December 2025.
Australia launches world's first 'SNS ban for those under 16,' targeting TikTok, X, Instagram, YouTube, and others - GIGAZINE
Under the law, social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube that are deemed high-risk are required to disable accounts of users under the age of 16, and failure to comply can result in fines of up to A$49.5 million (approximately 5.5 billion yen). To date, more than 5 million accounts have been disabled or had their use restricted.
However, recognizing the need for further measures, the Albajini government stated that it would 'put more pressure on platforms that have not taken sufficient measures to prevent social media use by young people under the age of 16,' and announced amendments to the law on June 28, 2026, six months after its implementation.
The amendment will raise the maximum fine for platforms to $99 million (approximately 11 billion yen).
Furthermore, the eSafety Commissioner , an independent regulatory body dedicated to protecting online safety and the public, will have enhanced information-gathering powers. It will be able to compel social media companies to provide evidence of what they did to prevent accounts from being created by minors under the age of 16. It will also be given the power to request information and documents to verify that companies are complying with Australian law.
This amendment will provide the Commissioner with more detailed information on what platforms are doing, or not doing, to comply with the 'SNS Minimum Age Law,' supporting more effective investigations and potential enforcement measures. Furthermore, fines for failing to comply with the Commissioner's information gathering notices will be doubled.
According to the announcement, the eSafety Commissioner is actively investigating potential legal non-compliance related to five platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.
Related Posts:
in Web Service, Posted by logc_nt